BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Melbourne BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20220402T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20221001T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20230401T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20230930T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20240406T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20241005T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240412T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240412T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012810 CREATED:20240305T012726Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240306T191118Z UID:52033-1712944800-1712952000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Rita McInnes | Book Launch DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-rita-mcinnes/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/rita-promo-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240411T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240411T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240129T040125Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T055619Z UID:50532-1712863800-1712869200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballart Film Society | The Wild Goose Lake DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-the-wild-goose-lake/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/wild-goose-lake-2-e1706503321360.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240411T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240411T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231004T031044Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240118T002449Z UID:45976-1712858400-1712865600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Leah Kaminsky & Kylie Ladd DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-kaminsky-ladd/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/pomo-square-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240407T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240131T003215Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240131T232049Z UID:50772-1712516400-1712520000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Heath Franklin's Chopper - Not Here To F*ck Spiders DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/heath-franklins-chopper/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/heath-franklin-e1706662452847.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240404T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240425T223000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240121T230923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240121T231034Z UID:50298-1712251800-1714084200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-copy-2-copy/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240403T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240424T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231213T040808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T040951Z UID:49202-1712170800-1713990600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Dealing with Difficult People DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-dealing-with-difficult-people/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kadampa-Ballarat-sep-dec-2023-1-logo.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240321T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240321T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20230919T035313Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240307T005144Z UID:45400-1711044000-1711051200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Noel Braun DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-noel-braun/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/noel-braun-promotional-squre-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240317T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240317T173000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240119T004829Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240122T010930Z UID:50287-1710684000-1710696600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva Social Sunday | St Patrick's Day Social | Scottish Country Dancing DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/scottish-country-dancing/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:external event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/minerva-from-behind-correct-crop-e1705625699773.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240314T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240314T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240129T050135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T070808Z UID:50562-1710444600-1710450000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballart Film Society | Le bleu du caftan (The Blue Kaftan) DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-the-blue-kaftan/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/The_Blue_Caftan-519760920-large.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240307T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240328T223000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231221T022427Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240110T013925Z UID:49652-1709832600-1711665000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-copy-2/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240306T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240327T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231213T034626Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240325T225552Z UID:49180-1709751600-1711571400@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Get Your Confidence Back DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-get-your-confidence-back/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kadampa-Ballarat-sep-dec-2023-1-logo.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240305T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240305T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240109T042935Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240305T061154Z UID:49843-1709661600-1709668800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Imbi Neeme | This event has now been cancelled DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-imbi-neeme/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/imbi-neeme-promo-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240302T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240302T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240202T231658Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240202T234613Z UID:50873-1709406000-1709413200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Women Just Want to Laugh DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/women-just-want-to-laugh/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:BMI Produced Event,Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/women-laugh.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240228T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240327T183000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231109T032714Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240205T012554Z UID:47372-1709141400-1711564200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Twilight Talks 2024 | Season 1 DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/twilight-talks-2024-season-1/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Twilight Talks ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tt-promo-2024-season-1-draft-v2-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240221T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240221T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20230919T035111Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240208T231637Z UID:45397-1708538400-1708545600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Lucas Jordan DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-lucas-jordan/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/lucas-jordan-promotional-squre-v2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240208T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240208T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240124T000807Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240130T061639Z UID:50417-1707420600-1707426000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballart Film Society | Scrapper DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-scrapper/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/scrapper-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240207T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240228T203000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231213T040534Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T040703Z UID:49199-1707332400-1709152200@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Kadampa Meditation Series | Positive Psychology DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/kadampa-meditation-positive-psychology/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kadampa-Ballarat-sep-dec-2023-1-logo.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240207T180000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240207T200000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231207T003031Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231218T043742Z UID:49057-1707328800-1707336000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:In Conversation with Elizabeth Coleman DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/in-conversation-elizabeth-coleman/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Author Talk,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/square-promo-elizabeth-coleman.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240201T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240229T223000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231221T015804Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240110T011205Z UID:49635-1706808600-1709245800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240131T190000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240131T190000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231213T041518Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231213T232612Z UID:49208-1706727600-1706727600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Choose Happiness: A Public Talk with Kelsang Luma DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/choose-happiness/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:kadampa ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/flower-square.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240118T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240125T223000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231221T022307Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240110T010717Z UID:49650-1705599000-1706221800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Chess Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/ballarat-chess-club-copy/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Ballarat Chess Club ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ballarat-chess-club-square-with-boarder.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240113T150000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240113T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20240109T042935Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240110T005513Z UID:49842-1705158000-1705158000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Organs of the Ballarat Goldfields | Recital 3 | Haydn Baryton Trios DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/organs-of-the-goldfields/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Classical Music,Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/organs-of-the-goldfields-square.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240109T140000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20240514T150000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231026T001524Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T030128Z UID:46767-1704808800-1715698800@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Day Tours of the Ballaarat Mechanics' Institute | Series DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/day-tours-copy-2-2/ LOCATION:Lending Library\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, Victoria\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/BMI-woodcut_bags-low-res-1kb-e1703024949185.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231216T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231216T220000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231004T220653Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231023T010731Z UID:46008-1702755000-1702764000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Motown Mistletoe with Motor City Sounds DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/motor-city-sounds-motown/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Live Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/mcs-bmi-2019_orig-adj.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231214T193000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231214T210000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20230202T033152Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230912T011328Z UID:33977-1702582200-1702587600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Ballarat Film Society - Redemption of a Rogue DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bfs-redemptionofarogue/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Ballarat Film Society,Externally Produced Event,Film ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/4665.jpg.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231211T173000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231211T193000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231109T024316Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231206T042434Z UID:47354-1702315800-1702323000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Members Christmas Party with the Ballarat Singers DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/members-christmas-party/ LOCATION:BMI – Humffray Room\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Library,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/square-promo-christmas.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231203T100000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231203T140000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231018T013445Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231102T212954Z UID:46392-1701597600-1701612000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:BMI Summer Maker Market DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/bmi-summer-maker-market/ LOCATION:BMI – Minerva Space\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350 CATEGORIES:Market ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/maker_image-e1628392488945.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231202 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231205 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231013T022508Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231013T023541Z UID:46252-1701478800-1701651599@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Summer Book Sale DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/summer-book-sale/ LOCATION:Library Ground Floor\, Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Library ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bios.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231201T093000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231201T153000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20230816T020026Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T053849Z UID:43742-1701423000-1701444600@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Golf Day Fundraiser | Join Us at Snake Valley Golf Club DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/golf-day/ LOCATION:Snake Valley Golf Club\, 341 Chepstowe Road\, Snake Valley\, Victoria\, 3351\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Members ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/golf-day-square-promotional-image-v6.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231126T210000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20231126T220000 DTSTAMP:20260418T012811 CREATED:20231019T064643Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231115T230832Z UID:46420-1701032400-1701036000@ballaratmi.org.au SUMMARY:Minerva's Secrets | Night Tours DESCRIPTION:Twilight Talks 2024\, Season 4 | Uncovering the Past: Johnny Alloo… of Ballarat Notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n November 27\n\n \n\n @ \n\n\n5:30 pm\n\n \n\n\n\n \n - \n\n6:30 pm\n\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Bar open at 5pm \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n$8 – $12 \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Humffray Room \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Speaker: Author\, John Smyth \n \n \n \n \n \n Article: by Edwina Williams\, Ballarat Times – Friday 24 May 2024  \n \n When you hear ‘Johnny Alloo\,’ you might be like many people in Ballarat who associate the name with a local cafe. But it stems far beyond recent years to the mid-nineteenth century.  Johnny Alloo was the Anglicised name Chinese orphan\, Chin Thun Lok took on when he came to Australia in about 1844\, from a Hong Kong mission school\, to work during a labour shortage.  Having learnt to cook for the western palate on a sea captain’s property in New South Wales\, he made the move to Ballarat in 1852 when he heard gold had been discovered\, and set up a restaurant there. Sociologist-turned-historian John Smyth has written a book about this man called Johnny Alloo of Ballarat notoriety\, published by the local Xin Jin Shan Chinese Library. “He set up a cook shop\, a bit of a tent\, right near the entrance of Eureka Stockade\,” Smyth said. “He served English food. “But the miners lost the Eureka lead… picked up and went over to gravel pits just near where St Pauls Church is\, Bakery Hill.” Alloo moved his restaurant to the east side of Main Road\, between Bridge and Humffray Street\, and this business was captured in two illustrations by artist\, Samuel Thomas Gill. “Gill probably agreed to draw the establishment for food and lodging\, so that is immortalised\,” Smyth said. “He was an important recorder of history. “If anything is known about Alloo – there are no pictures or photographs of him – it’s those two lithographs on the inside and outside of the restaurant.” Smyth said Alloo was only in Ballarat for a few years\, but his time cooking on the goldfields was just the beginning of a fascinating life story. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While working as an interpreter for Protector of the Chinese in Ballarat\, William Henry Foster in 1855\, he wasn’t paid for four-and-a-half months. While away from the restaurant\, his staff got fined for selling alcohol to police officers and received a big fine\, eventually leading to his insolvency. In 1856\, he sold the shop to his business partner\, and moved to Melbourne. “He’s naturalised\, he’s Christian\, and he speaks English\,” Smyth said. “He sets himself up in Little Bourke Street roughly where China Town is.” With gambling all around him\, Alloo became an undercover informant to Victoria Police\, particularly the chief of detectives\, and he went on to be appointed the first Chinese detective in Victoria Police in 1858. He moved to New Zealand a decade later during the Otago Gold Rush and became the first Chinese police constable there too. “It’s a fascinating story\, but it’s a bit of a babushka doll story\,” Smyth said. “You’ve got a local bit encased in colonial governance. “He was one of the very first Chinese to come to Australia\, and he never hunted for gold.” Smyth was asked by the local Chinese library to write the story after they discovered he was transcribing the rates books of the more-than 100 pubs that have been based on Main Road in its history. He said it’s been a “an exercise in love.” “I had passion\, and the Chinese library had passion\,” he said. “We’ve got an amazing individual here in our history who is largely unknown\, and this is the first piece of work that’s been done on him.”   \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Subject: Johnny Alloo... of Ballarat notoriety \n \n \n \n \n \n A remarkable story of and enterprising and savvy Chinese who arrived before the discovery of gold\, who converted challenges into opportunities\, amid chaos and mayhem\, colonial authorities who willfully kept issues off the books\, and a sindow in to a slice of Australian history that still reverberates today. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n This event is proudly supported by Community Bank Buninyong \n \n \n \n \n \n Community Bank Buninyong & District not only gives you access to award-winning financial products and services\, we’re also committed to returning profits to our local communities. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets and Bookings \n \n \n \n \n \n Tickets $8 BMI members & $12 general admittance | Season Pass is also available. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Get Tickets\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n More Twilight Talks \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n BMI News \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ANZAC Day | Ballarat Arch of Victory & Avenue of Honour\n ANZAC Day Feel the Spirits  The Arch of Victory Avenue... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 2026 BMI Appeal | Give now\n A message from the President Support the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Rosemary’s Book of the Week\n The Drowning Fiona Lowe Don’t miss Fiona at the BMI... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ballarat National Theatre | Ballarat Times by Evie Lamb\n Lots to dig about The Dog Logs by Evie Lamb\,... \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Load More URL:https://ballaratmi.org.au/event/minervas-secrets-night-tours-november-9/ LOCATION:The Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute\, 117-119 Sturt Street\, Ballarat Central\, VIC\, 3350\, Australia CATEGORIES:Fundraiser,Tours ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ballaratmi.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/costumes-night-tours-insta-facebook-special-offer-e1700018159487.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR